Ahmedabad, 10th June 2025: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with ITC Hotels and EHL (founded in 1893 as École hôtelière de Lausanne), hosted the Ahmedabad chapter of its flagship Industry–Academia Connect 2025 initiative on 10th June. Held after a successful launch in New Delhi and a high-impact run in cities like Agra and Kolkata, the event drew strong participation from both academic and industry circles including industry experts from sectors such as IT, Animation, Hospitality, Textile, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Chemical industry.
The initiative builds on the success of CII, ITC Hotels and EHL’s 18-month VET by EHL Swiss Professional Diploma Program. The program is currently operational across 10 ITC Hotels, where it has trained over 800 students, all of whom have been placed in relevant roles.
The distinguished speakers in the event included Mr Sidhant Bedi, Education Consultant, EHL; Mr Praveen Roy, Advisor, CII; Mr Nilesh Mitra, Vice President, ITC Hotels; Mr Sanjay R Deora, Chief Executive Officer, Nandan Terry Ltd; Mr Shyam Kadakia, Managing Director, Pinnacle Therapeutics and Mr Vinod Agarwal, Managing Director, Arunaya Organics Limited.
Mr. Nilesh Mitra, Vice President, Talent Management, ITC Hotels Limited, said, “In a country as dynamic and diverse as India, where the youth population is both a strength and a challenge, initiatives like Industry–Academia Connect 2025 are crucial. They serve as a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, aligning educational outcomes with industry needs. This is not just about jobs; it’s about creating a future-ready workforce that can power India’s growth story across sectors. CII Institute of Hospitality is poised to play a pivotal role in bridging the skill gap by supplying trained resources that meet industry requirements.”
Mr. Praveen Roy, Advisor, Confederation of Indian Industry, said, “After witnessing strong engagement in Delhi, Agra, and Kolkata, bringing Industry–Academia Connect 2025 to Ahmedabad marks an important milestone. As one of India’s leading industrial and educational hubs, Ahmedabad offers fertile ground for deepening collaboration between academia and industry. This initiative is not just timely, it’s essential for unlocking the potential of the city’s youth and aligning their skills with emerging sectoral demands”
As it expands nationally, the CII Industry–Academia Connect 2025 initiative is aligned with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2025, particularly in fostering closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry. The initiative is expected to engage more than 600 educators and industry representatives across nine cities, with the broader goal of addressing the disconnect between academic training and workforce requirements.
With its focus on thought leadership and actionable insights, the CII Industry-Academia Connect 2025 continues to advance the shared goal of bridging the education-to-employment gap.
